The New York Clipper (February 1917)

February 21, 1917 THE NEW YORK CLIPPER 15 WESTERN OFFICE, Roan 210 35 SO. DEARBORN ST. FOR ADVERTISING RATES Phone Randolph SIS EXPECT CHANGE IN THEATRE POLICIES NEW ORPHEUM HOUSE IS CAUSE Wiseacres hail the erection of the new Orpheum Theatre, at State and Lake Streets, which Martin Beck, Charles E. Kohl and others connected with the Palace and Majestic Theatres are to build here, as an indication that the entire alignment of local theatres will be changed to con- form to the improvements in Chicago's transportation facilities. Inasmuch as Mort H. Singer, the local executive head of activities, sponsored by the backers of the new enterprise, will be in a position to make radical changes in the policies of the houses under his con- trol, at least one important change may be contemplated. This wonld be in the Palace Music Hall, which Singer has always wanted to be n musical comedy theatre. The success of the Shnberts' Summer Re- view at this house during two seasons makes it all the more probable that local reviews will be run there under Singer's management. There is reason to believe that other changes may also be anticipated. The western end of the northern extremity of the Loop would be without a first-class vaudeville house and it is likely that either the Olympic formerly a vaudeville house, or Powers' will change its policy to vaude- ville. The former maintains an independent policy, which affords sufficient reason for an over-night change and Powers', though at present bousing a bit, has bad anything but a satisfactory early season's record and a transfer of property rights wonld not be unexpected. The new theatre, the running investment of which will exceed a million dollars, will open with vaudeville early next Fall. It is estimated that the general building will cost $1,250,000, of which about $600,000 win be devoted to the theatre. KELLERMANN PHOTOS OFFEND Because several women's organizations complained to civic and postal authorities regarding photos of Annette Kellennann, posed with the idea of revealing "the fe- male form divine," William Fox, who pre- sents "The Daughter of the Gods," an- nounces that no more pictorial display ad- vertising will be designed for the remainder of the local run. A display which ap- peared in the lobby of Cohan's Grand for a brief period was responsible for much of the agitation. REFUSED TO WORK TILL PAID Acting under the advice of L. Andrew Castle, Chicago representative of the Actors' Equity Association, members of the cast of "little Peggy ©"Moore," which closed at the National recently, refused to work on Sunday of the closing Chicago week before receiving salaries for Tialf of a previous week, and again refused to work Monday until the balance had been cleared. CLARK SISTERS QUIT BILL The Clark Sisters quit the bill at the Crown last week, alleging that the absence of two baby grand pianos made it impos- sible for them to do their turn. But the White Bats maintain that the stage hands and musicians made things so un- pleasant, because the girls worked in unfair houses in Oklahoma City, that they were forced to quit. FLORENCE SHIES AT BILLY While playing at the Palace Music Hall, Florence Moore balked when she found she was on the bill with Billy Mont- gomery, her former husband and profes- sional partner. After missing two shows she finally went on under the conditions that she should not see or become aware of his presence. DANCER IS ARRESTED Borgbeld Bye, eighteen-year-old ballet dancer with Ringllng Bros. Circus, was ar- rested Saturday night as she attempted to purchase a revolver in a Chicago pawn shop. She confessed later, according to the police, that she had thought of suicide. ACTRESS IN CABARET ROW Flora Gordon, a vaudeville actress, found her husband, Morris, entertaining Clara Barry at the College Inn last week. She upset the table and pursued her hus- band for several blocks. They were reconciled at a police station. STROLLERS TO MOVE QUARTERS The Strollers' Club will remove from 14 N. Dearborn street to the fourth and fifth floors of 117 N. Clark street, just south of Cohan's Grand. The larger space will admit of better display of the club's valuable collection of pictures. GRIFFEN RETURNS HOME Gerald F_ Griffen, "Ireland's Sweetest Singer," who toured Australia last sea- son at the head of bis own company, re- turned to Chicago last week with his recently acquired Australian bride. WALTER HIRSH IN CHARGE Walter Hlrah was appointed manager of the Harms, Francis Day & Hunter new Chicago offices when Harold Dellon, who started things going for the firm in the West, returned to New York. ROWLAND & CLIFFORD WIN CASE Rowland & Clifford successfully de- fended a salt brought by Miss O'Rourke, an actress, last week, on a contract which the court declared was null and void. TINT BACK IN VAUDEVILLE Al Tint, who was yodeler with the De Rue Brothers Minstrels last season, is back in vaudeville this season with a single. FINE TO WORK DOUBLE Jack Fine has despaired of convincing local agents that he can do a single and will offer a double soon. McCarthy joins james agency Eddie McCarthy is now connected with the Marie James agency. RIALT0 POLICY CAUSES MGRS. TROUBLE PROGRAM NOT SHOWN IN ENTIRETY Jones, Linick and Schaefer, who recently opened the Rialto Theatre, are confronted with a problem in running the house that is giving them considerable anxiety. The cause is the policy of the house in showing continuous entertainment from 11 a. m. to 11 p. m., for, how to keep a vaude- ville theatre open for twelve hours without compelling actors to work through more than four shows a day is not very easy. In order to avoid working the actor more than four shows a day, interruptions of vaudeville by pictures occur after every few acts, followed by one of the acts already seen. This gives the impression that the entire show is concluded. A person in the audience can sit through several hours of entertainment in this way, seeing several repetitions but without having seen the en- tire program. Ralph T. Kettering, general publicity agent for Jones, Linick and Schaefer, de- fends the method as the only practical one. The use of pictures in the way described permits the management to run six or more shows per day, while the actor works through only four, he says. However, Chicago theatregoers are not taking kindly to the manner in which the program is being offered and a larger program of vaudeville acts may be in- stituted as a remedy. SHERMAN'S SHOW GOING BIG Robert Sherman's "The Girl Without a Chance" 1b doing the most remarkable business experienced by a one-night stand attraction in recent years. On Feb. 5 the Eastern show, which is managed by Whitney Collins, author of the play, got' $694 in Wilkes-Barre, Pa. On the next day the organization visited Elmira, N. Y., and did $445, which is big for such a show at that place this season. It recently played a return date at Reading, Pa., to $600 after getting $520 before. The West- ern show, managed by Karl Hewitt, played the Sipe Theatre in Kokomo, Ind., Feb. 6, to $694, and on Jan. 31 got $451 at Hammond, Ind. BRINGS SUIT AGAINST MOONEY Milton S. Mooney, proprietor of the Mooncy Show, part of the "Hip-Hip- Hooray" aggregation at the Auditorium, was made defendant in an attachment suit brought last week by the Robinson Amuse- ment Corporation for $1,600 as "back com- missions." SPIIXARD IN POLITICS Billy Spillard, formerly identified with Chicago vaudeville, has entered polities on the Democratic side of the fence. GREGORYS IN CHICAGO The Gregorys recently returned from the East, after filling current bookings, aad are beaded for the South-West. LOOP HOUSES PROSPER The books of loop houses show that nearly all are prospering. Powers fre- quently plays to capacity with "The Boomerang," but early season reverses were so constant the house is not yet making money. Al Jolson's return to the "Robin- son Crusoe, Jr." cast at the Garrick stimulated attendance. Cohan's Grand has a solid, substantial hit in "Turn to the Right." Inasmuch as this house has had several previous hits during the current season, it is showing the greatest margin of profit. IRVING MACK ILL Irving N. Mack, Ralph T. Kettering's assistant in the Jones, Linick & Schaefer publicity office, is ill. Barney Glatt, for- merly Harry J. Ridings' secretary in the business office of Cohan's Grand, is holding the reins pending Irving'! return. ACTRESS AND THEATRE SUED Dorothy Shoemaker, who brought a dramatic sketch to the Palace Music Hail a fortnight ago, together with her husband, Louis Leon Hall, and the theatre were made joint defendants in an attachment mrit last week. TWO OPENINGS ANNOUNCED Nettie Gordon opens at the Academy In Chicago, Feb. 26, for western time. Van Etta and Gershon open on the Allardt and Finklestine time in March and have Acker- man and Harris and Interstate time to follow. VAN ALSTYNE RECOVERS Egbert Van Alatyne, Chicago professional manager for J. H. Remlck & Co., has re- turned from his farm completely recovered from bis recent Illness. WEBSTER ADDS TO CIRCUIT The Webster Vaudeville Circuit added the Alhambra and Rosebud theatres to its list last week, instituting the regular Web- ster policy. PIANIST NOW THEATRE OWNER Erwin R. Schmidt, who used to serve as a staff pianist for Remick's Chicago office, is now part owner of a theatre on the West side. MeVITTY ON VACATION Karl G. MacVitty, junior partner of Gaskill & MacVitty, is spending his winter vacation In the Windward Isles, South America. GILLEN BOOKS TRIO Frank Glllen was in Chicago last week in advance of Weber, Beck & Fraser. The clever trio has secured Pontages' booking. BOB ALLAN TO MARRY Bob Allan, of the Leo Feist Chicago staff, is engaged to marry Jessie WUlard, a music copyist In the same office. NEW MUSICAL ACT REHEARSING Rowland & Clifford have atartad re- hearsals on "The Belle of Broadway," a new musical act with a cast of twelve.